Poinsettia plant named ‘Fiscor Electric’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Poinsettia plant named ‘Fiscor Electric’ particularly described by the combined features of brilliant, orange-red bract color; medium sized inflorescence, ovate bracts; uniform dark-green foliage, ovate leaves with moderate lobes; medium sized, wide and rounded plant habit; and medium flowering response.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Euphorbiapulcherrima.

Variety denomination: Fiscor Electric.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPoinsettia plant botanically known as Euphorbia pulcherrima andhereinafter referred to by the variety denomination ‘Fiscor Electric’.

‘Fiscor Electric’ was discovered by the inventor, Dirk Krüger, from anaturally occurring whole plant mutation of Poinsettia plant named‘Fiscor’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,364). ‘Fiscor’ is characterized by deepred colored bracts, dark-green foliage with moderate lobes, and wide,medium sized plant habit.

In November 2001, a plant having several orange inflorescences wasdiscovered among a crop of potted flowering plants of the parent variety‘Fiscor’ in a greenhouse in Gönnebek, Germany. In December 2001, theplant was taken to Hillscheid, Germany, where the plant was left todevelop vegetative shoots, which were cut for propagation in the springof 2002.

Asexual reproduction of ‘Fiscor Electric’ was performed by vegetativeterminal cuttings. Asexual reproduction of ‘Fiscor Electric’ was firstperformed in March of 2002 in Hillscheid, Germany. Horticulturalexamination of the plants grown thereof starting in the late summer of2002 and continuing through 2003, has demonstrated that the combinationof characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘Fiscor Electric’ are firmlyfixed and retained through successive generations of asexualreproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘Fiscor Electric’, which in combinationdistinguish this Poinsettia as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. brilliant, orange-red bract color;    -   2. medium sized bracts, in a tight and flat, rosette-like        arrangement;    -   3. uniform dark-green foliage with weak to moderate lobes;    -   4. about medium sized, wide, rounded plant habit; and    -   5. medium flowering response.

‘Fiscor Electric’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity, and day-length.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the inventor, the most similarin comparison to ‘Fiscor Electric’ are the parental cultivar ‘Fiscor’and the related variety ‘Fiscor Fire’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,992. Incomparison to ‘Fiscor’ and ‘Fiscor Fire’, ‘Fiscor Electric’ has a morebrilliant and more orange hue of bract color. With reference to begin offlowering, the finishing time for plants of ‘Fiscor Electric’corresponds that of ‘Fiscor’, while ‘Fiscor Fire’ is slightly earlier.

Furthermore, the reddish color of stems and pedicels is somewhat lighterfor ‘Fiscor Electric’ than with ‘Fiscor’ and ‘Fiscor Fire’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows typical inflorescenceand foliage of ‘Fiscor Electric’, with colors being as true as possiblewith illustrations of this type. The photograph shows a mature pottedplant of ‘Fiscor Electric’ in its entirety featuring the brilliant,orange-red bract color and dark-green foliage.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, and in Hillscheid, Germanyin the fall of 2002, under greenhouse conditions which approximate thosegenerally used in commercial practice. Rooted cuttings were planted into14 cm pots on July 17, and were pinched on August 1, leaving 7 to 8leaves. Initially, the temperature was between a minimum of 19° C. and24.5° C. maximum (ventilation temperature), and lower beginning October1, with a minimum of 16° C. to 23° C. The plants initiated flowers undershort-day conditions under natural short-day conditions in fall, noblack cloth was applied.

Observations and measurements were mainly taken in mid December, whenthe plants were in full flower and about 20 weeks old. In the followingdescription color references are made to The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart (R.H.S.). The color values were determined indoors in aNorth light.

-   Plant:    -   -   Form.—Shrub, self-branching.-   Growth habit: About medium sized, pinched plants are bushy and round    in shape.-   Height (above soil line): 26.5 cm.-   Width: 46.5 cm.-   Average number of branches: 8.5.-   Length of branches: 20-22 cm.-   Diameter of branches: 5-6 mm.-   Average number of inflorescence: 7.1.-   Stem color: Lower part light green, RHS 144 B, upper parts of stems    are weakly reddish infused, the resulting color is approximately RHS    181 C.-   Internode length: About 20 mm.-   Rooting: Medium, sufficiently rooted for transplanting after about    20-24 days in a greenhouse at a temperature of 22-24° C.-   Blooming habit: Begin under natural short day conditions in fall:    botanically (cyathia open): in early December, commercially (bracts    colored, marketable): around December 1.-   Flowering response time: About 9.5 weeks.-   Foliage:-   Shape: Broad elliptical to ovate, most often with rounded or obtuse    base, with weak to medium lobes, acuminate tip, entire margin.-   Texture: Upper surface: smooth and flat, only weakly veined, color    of veins: mainly light green, RHS 145 B, at the base pink, RHS 179    B.-   Lower surface: Flat and smooth, except for the slightly protruding    midrib and finer side veins in a pinnate pattern, the vein color is    near RHS 179 D.-   Leaf blade size: Length: 14 cm; width 10.25 cm.-   Petiole: Length: 6.5 to 7.5 cm, diameter 0.3 cm.-   Quantity: About 50-55 leaves per plant.-   Color: Generally dark green, uniform.-   Mature foliage: Upper surface, RHS 139 A; under surface, RHS 139 B.-   New foliage: Upper side: RHS 143 A; under side RHS 137 D.-   Leaf petiole: Upper side: reddish-brown, RHS 181 A; lower side: RHS    176 D.-   Aspect: Petioles are mostly horizontally directed, while the leaf    blades slant downwards.-   Flowering description: Whole inflorescence with surrounding bracts:    about medium sized, star-shaped, with the bracts horizontally    directed in a tight, overlapping arrangement.-   Diameter: About 23-25 cm.-   Height of inflorescence: About 20-25 mm, which is relatively flat.-   Number of bracts per inflorescence: 10-13 (with a size over 2 cm).-   Keeping quality: Good lasting quality will be maintained for about 4    weeks, no dropping of bracts.-   Bracts:-   Shape: Ovate, with rounded bases, weak lobes, and acuminate tips;    bract blade is flat, with entire margin.-   Size of the largest fully colored bract: 12.5 cm long, 7.8 cm wide.-   Texture: Smooth, very little or no rugosity.-   Vein color: Upper side corresponds closely to bract color; lower    side pale orange to pale pink, near RHS 31 D to RHS 37 C.-   Color: Generally deep orange-red, uniform; upper surface RHS 43 A;    lower surface RHS 43 B.-   Petiole: 12-15 mm long, color: upper side deep red, RHS 44 A, lower    side from pale brown, RHS 170 D, to pale green, RHS 145 B.-   Cyme: 18-22 mm in diameter, approximately 10 cyathia borne in a    tight cluster.-   Cyathium: Ovate, about 5-6 mm in diameter, medium to light green    colored, RHS 143 B, top red, RHS 46 B; total length (with peduncle    and female flower): 18-20 mm.-   Peduncle: Color: Light green, RHS 143 C, 1-2 mm long, 3 mm in    diameter, smooth, glabrous texture, average strength.-   Nectar cups: Usually one or two per cyathium, 5 mm wide (1    honey-cup), 3-4 mm wide (2 honey-cups), brilliant yellow, RHS 12 A,    to occasionally orange, RHS 25 A, no reddish coloring at the margin.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—About 5-15 in a cluster, filaments 3 mm, red RHS 46            B; moderate pollen, yellow, RHS 12 A.        -   Anthers.—Arrangement and shape: 2 round parts (thecae) side            by side at the upper end of the filaments, each part under 1            mm in diameter, red color, RHS 46B (before shedding of            pollen).        -   Pistil.—One per cyathium, pistil length (mature, before            pollination) about 8 mm, style color, red, RHS 46B (lobes)            to RHS 46C (base), stigma color, red RHS 45 B, stigma            trifurcate, 6-lobed.        -   Ovaries.—Light to medium green, RHS 143 C, initially            obovate, later triangular, diameter 3-4 mm, 5-6 mm long, 3            ovules.        -   Fruit/seed set.—No seed set observed.-   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No observations made.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Poinsettia plant named ‘Fiscor Electric’as described and illustrated herein.